The game pits a team from the Pac-12 Conference against a school from the Big 12 Conference. The contest has been played in San Antonio since 1993; in last season's game, tenth-ranked Oregon beat Texas 30-7 in Mack Brown's final game as coach with the Longhorns.

Starting this season, a four-team playoff will determine the national champion. There will be six bowls (Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl) that will rotate the semifinal games.

The Alamo Bowl claims it should be considered one of the top bowl games outside of the playoff structure.

“This year’s calendar provided us an excellent prime time Friday slot to showcase the Valero Alamo Bowl’s improved match-up featuring the top teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences after the College Football Playoff,” said Derrick Fox, Valero Alamo Bowl President/CEO. "Our renewal rates are the highest in our history as fans are excited to welcome Top 25 teams to play in front of capacity crowds at the Alamodome."